I think we can all assume Padres closer Fernando Rodney is going to be on the All-Star team. It’s nearly impossible to keep a closer with a 0.00 ERA off the roster, especially in his own ballpark. But there is another San Diego star-in-the-making who deserves to be on the field July 12 at Petco Park.
Wil Myers needs to be an All-Star in 2016. I’m not just saying that because I cover the Padres and like the kid. The numbers say he’s worthy of playing in the Midsummer Classic at Petco Park.
Offensively Myers leads all NL 1st baseman in: Runs, Hits, Stolen Bases. He’s 2nd in the NL in: Home Runs, Doubles, Batting Average. He’s in the top-4 in all the other major statistical categories except Walks and OBP.
Plus he’s on a crazy hot streak. Myers has nine home runs in June and yes, players on a roll do get more of a look than guys who started hot and fizzled.
Mets Manager Terry Collins will likely be taking three 1st baseman, which is typical of modern All-Star Games. Over the last 10 contests the National League has had a trio of 1B six times, taken two only once, and had four on three occasions. So assuming three guys will make it ... who is Wil’s competition?
Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs is going to win the fan vote and get the start. The other guys in the conversation are as follows:
Wil Myers, SDP
.292 BA
16 HR
44 RBI
46 Runs
.871 OPS
2.6 WAR (Tops among all MLB 1st basemen)
Paul Goldschmidt, AZ
.289 BA
14 HR
45 RBI
41 Runs
.939 OPS
2.5 WAR
Brandon Belt, SF
.305 BA
10 HR
35 RBI
35 Runs
.958 OPS
1.8 WAR
Freddie Freeman, ATL
.279 BA
12 HR
25 RBI
33 Runs
.857 OPS
1.4 WAR
Goldschmidt is the only guy with numbers really comparable to Myers but the guy who might be the biggest obstacle is Freeman. Since every team must have an ASG representative (a conversation for another day) the Braves have to have somebody on the roster and Freeman is the most deserving guy in Atlanta so he might, out of necessity, take up the roster spot that Myers would have gotten.
The other candidate from the Braves is starting pitcher Julio Teheran who is 3-7 but tossed a 1-hit shutout with seven whiffs against Collins and the Mets on Sunday. His 2.66 ERA would look awfully good on the National League staff.
Plus there is defense to consider and that’s where Myers might be able to separate himself from the pack. He’s the only 1st baseman in the National League who has not made an error this season, which is astonishing given the fact he’s played the position for less than a year. Sure the Padres shift a ton and that likely makes things a little easier on him since there’s an extra guy on his side of the infield.
Wil has gotten visibly more comfortable as a corner infielder and has saved several of his teammates with nice picks on balls in the dirt. The guy is simply one of the best players at his position in the National League and he needs to be recognized as such.
